New Habits and New Beginnings...

So I decided to quit smoking again for the third time in my life.  The first time was when I was playing sports and couldn't breathe during softball season.  The second time was when I found out I was pregnant with Chloe.  I guess I started smoking again, because the last few weeks has been intensely stressful. This time I'm quitting mostly because my running time has been suffering and I have had issues with pacing myself during 5 mile runs.  I figure that with almost reaching my goal weight, eating differently with the almost gluten free, SEMI vegetarian diet, and drinking mostly water, that this change won't be too hard.

Since I finished the Couch to 5K training, I'm still doing Core Training ( though I've not been as consistent- sorry Ali!) and LoLo treadmill interval training. I'm definitely seeing a difference in my strength and lean muscle mass versus adipose tissue. Now that I've almost lost all the weight, I'm focusing on toning up. So now I'm adding weight training. Good thing I remember a ton of workouts from my old swimming days. Of course, soccer and softball required short bursts of energy but sustained, continuous, movement is my goal.

And now for the new beginnings part. I've been selected for a job in Birmingham, AL as director of Gen Ed for a college there and their online division. I'll be commuting between here and there, which will be fun and allow me to rack up the airline miles for a fun vacation later on.

I've always been independent and career minded, I guess and have a difficult time sitting around when there is work to be done. And I've never been one to depend much on others, financially or otherwise. On top of a promotion, I'm also getting paid about $15,000 per year more than I was. So I really can't complain!!! I'm excited to have reached my five year goal in less than two years!!! Now to reach my 10 year goal...

I've been pretty lucky to have people who support and have supported me in reaching these goals. I also have had people who have created drama almost every step of the way. However, both have made me stronger. Those who support because they've been a great encouragement and those who don't, because they are content in living mediocre lives, while I strive to live a more purposeful life. I'm kind of a pistolera like that...

It's been exciting to see other people as excited for me as I am. Several close friends really encouraged me to take this next step. In actuality, I took this step for me, but also for Chloe. As a mother and a woman, I want her to see that women are so much more than housework and gossip. That we have something to contribute to society, whether we are at work or home. Perhaps the most important lesson is that as a mother, I am Willing to sacrifice a lot to provide for her in any way I can. And she's definitely worth it!